There are only three weeks left of 2018 and it feels like we still have so much to do. Or is it just me? No only is the year ending, which has its associated to-dos and what not, but my maternity leave will be ending and going back to work will present new challenges.
But that makes me determined to soak in these next few weeks with added joy and gratitude. This week, I’ll be focusing on getting things ready for our Christmas travels to see our families and doing last minute gift buying and wrapping. I’m hoping I don’t get too swept up in the hustle and bustle and just stay calm (as tough as it is for me).
Read MoreCurrently, I am sitting in our resort room with my feet up by the roaring fireplace and I’m convinced that I’ll do very well in retirement one day. The kids are doing their Mandarin practice and the baby is contentedly sleeping on his own.
HAHA, just kidding. Everyone is screaming and running around and it’s pure chaos and I love it. We are still in South Lake Tahoe and heading home tomorrow morning. It has been a lovely trip so far. My mom joined us and she has been a life-saver with having an extra set of adult eyes and ears. And plus, she is ten times more patient than I am which helps in confined spaces.
Mostly, we’ve just been enjoying each other with lots of snuggles and movies and cookies and laughing. The big kids absolutely love playing in the snow. They must have gotten that from some other side of the family tree because I am firmly in the camp of snow is to be looked at and not waded in. I enjoy the frivolity from the safety of the salted side walk. But it is just the BEST watching them play in the snow with all their snow gear. Theo has just been a cuddly snow angel and I am grateful for his chill disposition.
Read MoreHello! Guess where I am right now? I am sitting in front of a the fireplace of our room in Lake Tahoe. There is a glorious blanket of snow covering the mountains and my favorite christmasy trees. The lake is still and shining and I am in my happy place. My husband and I (and the growing family) travel to South Lake Tahoe multiple times per year (I’d go every season if I could). It might be my most favorite place in the whole wide world.
My mom joined us this time and I am so happy she gets to see the kids play in the snow and enjoy a much-deserved vacation. We will be here the week. I’m not the best actually IN the snow as I prefer to look at it from a safe and warm distance, hehe.
We don’t really do snow sports but I’m sure Paul will take the bigger kids to do some tubing while the milk-addict and I will enjoy hot beverages, good books, and that fresh mountain air. We have our favorite restaurants here in South Lake and really, I’m just looking forward to a little respite from the daily grind at home to relax.
Read MoreAdvent is quickly approaching. It’s a time of preparation, of waiting, of anticipation. It’s as if we spend the month holding our breaths — waiting for the sweetest exhalation in seeing our Savior born humbly into the arms of our Blessed Mother and inhaling the deepest joy in His coming into the world.
But ordinary time — that’s my sweet spot. It’s the everyday sweet of simply being. It’s not my time of deep introspection and examination or reevaluation and coming into something new. It’s my time to just be with the Lord as He walks with me through this life. It is the daily grind and the fought bed times and the piles of laundry and the unanswered emails and the grocery shopping and the appointments.
Read MoreHear ye, hear ye, it’s another installment of some of the awkward and awesome things going on around these parts. Why do I suddenly sound like a town caller? EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT.
Awkward
- Sleep deprivation. It is real and deep and my brain hurts.
- People who don’t hold doors open for other people. I don’t mean that “men should hold it open for women” blah blah, but people should hold open doors for other people. How many times must I struggle through a door with a double stroller while corralling another kid?
- Mom shaming on social media. Really folks, just stop it.
- Being used as a human tissue. This cold and flu season not only brings on runny noses for our children, but apparently my shoulder and my thigh look great for nose-wiping.
- The current texture of my hair. It’s long and unmanageable. I don’t know what to do with it right now.
Awesome
- Advent starts this Sunday and I have not been more excited for an Advent season in forever. I have my Blessed Is She Advent journal ready to go and I am looking forward to this season of preparation.
- Guys, BABY SMILES. Theo has started smiling more regularly and it seriously makes the world go ‘round. Also, baby chub. BABY CHUB.
- Emma has been utterly hilarious lately. For example, the other day Paul smashed a mosquito that had made it into the house and she gasps, YOU KILLED NATURE. I’ll be doing another Emma says post soon.
- The beauty of technology. I’ve been able to video chat with my friends a couple times a month while we talk about our live and do some scripture studies together. We live all over the country and yet still get to connect with each other.
- Holiday coffee creamer. Keep it coming.
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